President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has welcomed the Philippines’ improved showing in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), saying the gains show that efforts to improve education are paying off.
In a video message Tuesday, Sept. 8, Marcos Jr. said Filipino students posted higher scores in reading, mathematics and science in the 2025 assessment.
“Ang Pilipinas ay isa sa pinakamagandang performance sa pagpapaganda ng educational sector. Ito’y kinuha sa mga score ng ating mga mag-aaral. Tumaas tayo sa lahat ng bagay, sa reading, sa mathematics, sa science,” he said.
The 2025 PISA results showed the Philippines scoring 373 in science, 371 in mathematics and 367 in reading. These were increases of 17, 16 and 20 points, respectively, from the country’s 2022 scores.
The scores were also the Philippines’ highest since it first joined PISA in 2018.
Marcos Jr. noted that the country was among the few education systems that improved in all three areas and was considered one of the fastest-improving systems globally, particularly in reading.
The share of Filipino 15-year-olds reaching at least Level 2 proficiency also increased to 31% in reading, 24% in mathematics and 32% in science, from 24%, 16% and 23%, respectively, in 2022.
Marcos Jr. said the gains should push the government to continue its education reforms, including efforts to provide classrooms, internet connectivity, computers, school supplies and learning materials.
“Nagsimula pa lang tayong magtayo ng classroom,” he said.
The President also credited students, teachers, parents and communities for the improvement, saying their support is key to sustaining the gains.IMT
